Noble Audio FoKus Rex5 vs Apple Airpods Pro (2nd Gen)
Introduction
The Noble Audio FoKus Rex5 and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are premium true wireless earbuds packed with advanced features and audiophile-grade sound quality. Let's take a look at each model and discuss key differences in design, sound, features, and price, so you can find the right IEM for you.
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FoKus Rex5 vs AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) Comparison
The FoKus Rex5 and Airpods Pro (2nd Gen) sit at two different price categories.
The FoKus Rex5 comes in at $459.00.
The AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) comes in at $249.00.
The FoKus Rex5 costs almost twice as much as the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen). Let's discuss the specs, design, sound signatures, and features of these wireless earbuds, so you can choose the right one for you.
The Noble Audio FoKus Rex5
The FoKus Rex5 is Noble Audio's newest TWS offering. It features a five-driver hybrid configuration and packs advanced sound personalization features to give audiophiles a true high-resolution sound experience on the go.
FoKus Rex5 Features:
- Hybrid five-driver setup: 1 dynamic, 1 planar, and 3 balanced armature drivers
- Active Noise Cancelling (ANC), Transparency, and Basic modes
- Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint connectivity
- Support for SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, and LDAC codecs
- Audiodo integration for personalized sound profiles
- Updated Noble FoKus App compatibility
- Battery life: 5 hours with ANC on, 7 hours with ANC off; charging case provides additional 40 hours
FoKus Rex5 Specs:
Driver Configuration: 1 (10mm) dynamic driver, 1 (6mm) planar driver, 3 balanced armature drivers
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 40kHz
Bluetooth Version: 5.4
Audio Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, LDAC
Battery Life: 5 hours (ANC on), 7 hours (ANC off); charging case provides additional 40 hours
Charging Case: Aluminum with wireless charging
Additional Features: Multipoint connection (2 devices), ANC, Transparency, and Basic modes
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
The AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) is the newest iteration of Apple's popular wireless earbuds. It features improved sound quality, Advanced Noise Cancellation technologies, and seamless integration with other Apple products like the iPhone, iPad, and Macbook.
AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) Features:
- Pro-level Active Noise Cancellation and Adaptive Audio
- Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
- Transparency mode and Conversation Awareness
- Touch controls for media playback and volume adjustment
- MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) with IP54 dust, sweat, and water resistance
- Battery life: Up to 6 hours with ANC enabled; up to 30 hours total with charging case
AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) Specs:
Driver Configuration: Custom high-excursion Apple driver with Custom high dynamic range amplifier.
Bluetooth Version: 5.3
Noise Cancellation: Active Noise Cancellation with Adaptive Transparency
Sound Personalization: Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking / Adaptive EQ
Chip: Apple H2 Headphone Chip / Apple U1 Chip in MagSafe Charging Case
IP Rating: IPX4 Dust, Sweat, and Water Resistant
Battery: Up to 6 hours listening time with a single charge / 5.5 hours with Spatial Audio and Head Tracking enabled.
Charging Case: Up to 30 hours listening time. Up to 24 hours talk time.
Design and Build Quality
The FoKus Rex5 features a bold green design for both its charging case and earbuds. The earbuds feature a combination of aluminum and acrylic with unique green/black marble design for the faceplates. The charging case is built from lightweight yet robust aluminum and comes in a matte green color.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) features a minimalist stem-style earbuds in white. Build quality is excellent, offering a solid and lightweight feel in the hand. Both the earbuds and charging case are made of plastic and has 35% or more recycled plastic in multiple components.
Sound Signature
You're probably looking to see how these wireless earbuds stack up on sound. We'll share our thoughts here, although keep in mind this information tends to be anecdotal and subjective.
FoKus Rex5 Sound Signature
The FoKus Rex5 features an engaging and detailed sound signature with impactful bass, detailed vocals, and sparkly highs.
The bass on the Rex5 reaches deep into the sub-bass and offers a good rumbly sensation in bassy music. Mid-bass punch is strong, giving kick drums and beats an authoritative impact. The midrange on the Rex5 is clear and detailed - vocals on the Rex5 sound clear and realistic, especially the female vocals. The treble is well-extended and detailed without harshness.
The soundstage on the Rex5 is slightly narrow but offers precise sound positioning for an immersive sound experience.
Airpods Pro (2nd Gen) Sound Signature
The AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) features a U-shaped sound signature with emphasized bass and treble frequencies. Bass is strong, offering good sub-bass rumble in genres like Hip-Hop, R&B, and EDM. Vocals and instrumentals are clear and accurate, while the high frequencies are sufficiently detailed and smooth.
The AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) sound signature changes drastically if you have Adaptive EQ enabled. This feature automatically adjusts sound in real-time to give you a satisfying listening experience based on fit and seal. Personalized Spatial Audio creates an immersive 3D-like experience by placing sound sources at realistic spots based on the listener's position.
Price and Value
The $459 FoKus Rex5 packs a five-driver hybrid configuration, Active Noise Cancelling with Transparency Mode, Bluetooth 5.4, LDAC support, and Audiodo Sound Personalization.
The $249 Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) features a custom dynamic driver and a high dynamic range amplifier, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, Active Noise Cancellation with Adaptive Transparency, Touch Controls, IPX4 rating, and MagSafe Charging with support for certified Qi-wireless chargers.
Our Thoughts
Get the Noble Audio FoKus Rex5 if you want the absolute best sound quality in a wireless IEM. Its five-driver configuration and detailed sound make it an excellent TWS for high-resolution music listening on the go. You also get advanced features like ANC with Transparency Mode, support for LDAC streaming, Audiodo Sound Personalization, and up to 7 hours of continuous listening (ANC off).
Get the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) if you own more than one Apple product. Integrating the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) to other Apple products is seamless and hassle-free, making it a no-brainer choice if you want an enjoyable listening experience on the go. Effective Noise Cancelling, Personalized Spatial Audio, and its IPX4 rating mean you can take the Airpods Pro (2nd Gen) anywhere and enjoy great sound anytime.
Another wireless IEM to consider is the HIFIMAN Svanar Wireless LE. It features a Topology Driver for detailed and natural sound, built-in Hymalaya R2R DAC/Amp for high-resolution wireless playback, IPX5 water resistance, and ANC/ENC for noise-free listening.
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